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The Rudd Government has announced Round 3 of the Federal Innovation Fund that will include $3 million for social enterprises focussed on jobseekers with disability.

The funding was announced at the national ACE Disability Employment Services Conference in Hobart and will include a component seeking social enterprise proposals that specifically target open employment of job seekers with disability.

Minister for Employment Participation Mark Arbib says while the Australian employment market is showing great resilience with unemployment down to 5.2 percent, Australia also needs to make sure no one is left behind, and that everyone who is able to participate in the labour market has the best opportunity to find a job.

He says that during the 2010-11 and 2012 years a total of $3 million has been provided for this initiative.

The Innovation Fund projects support the Australian Government’s social inclusion agenda by funding original projects that help disadvantaged job seekers find employment.

Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities, Bill Shorten says the Innovation Fund aims to support and develop social enterprises and help people with a disability obtain long-term jobs.

Shorten says a process of consultation, including with ACE, is currently underway after which guidelines will be released. A call for submissions will be made during July.

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